Office for the Aging
Helping Seniors Help Themselves!

The Office seeks to participate in the development of community based services to insure that persons over age 60 have maximum opportunities to live with independence and dignity in their community.

The Office’s role in development of these services will include action to advocate for the rights of older people, provide community based services, and to plan and work with other services agencies to meet the needs of older people.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

  • Meals on Wheels - A hot nutritious meal delivered around noon time. Extra cold meal available for supper (approved by case manager), and/or frozen weekend meals; suggested contribution $3.50 for noon meal, $6.00 for both hot and cold meals, and $7.00 for both freezer weekend meals. Call 589-5424 option 5.
  • Case Management - Professional advice and discussion on how to meet home care needs. No fee.
  • Home Care Aides - Personal Care and housekeeper aides to help you in your home; cost is income based.
  • Lifeline (Personal Emergency Response System) - A unit and personal help button in the home to call for help when an emergency arises, “Help Needed” call rings to Philips Lifeline Call Center. Designated friends, relatives or neighbors are called to check on person.  Depending on the unit, prices are $30/month-$45/month depending on the unit and personal help button; $20-25 installation fee.  We have units that can be connected to a landline phone, a cellular tower, and also Units with GPS capabilities.  Units are available with fall detection buttons.   
  • Information & Assistance - Detailed consultation about services and benefits you may be entitled to; to keep you safe and living independently in your own home. Call 589-3191 for an appointment
  • Outreach Visits - Visits to homebound, frail elderly to link to necessary community. No fee.

SUPPORT SERVICES:

  • Information and Assistance - Detailed consultation about services and benefits you may be entitled to; to keep you safe and living independently in your home. Call 589-3191 to schedule an appointment. You must be 60 or over.
  • Caregiver Assistance - To support caregivers providing assistance to seniors in the community. Services include information, counseling, training, respite services, caregiver news letter and support groups. Assistance and counseling with transition from home based care to adult care facility or nursing home care. Call 589-3191 for more information. $10 suggested contribution per counseling session.
  • Caregiver Support Group - Meetings are held the last Wednesday of each month at 4 pm.  All meetings are confidential. Meetings are held at the Hospice Counseling Center, 14080 Route 31 West Albion. For more information please call 589-0809. 
  • RTS Orleans - service across Orleans County. They offer county wide demand response service M-F. Call 589-0707 for route information.
  • Medina Transport - Need a ride to the doctors, grocery store or any local establishment in and around Orleans County? They provide weekday and weekend transportation. Call 798-9400
  • Volunteer Transportation Program - This service is provided by volunteers using their own vehicles and is available to Orleans County residents 60 and older who are unable to use public transportation or cannot make private arrangements. Rides need to be made at least one week in advance. Call 589-3211 for more information. Suggested contribution is $10 for in county ride and $25 for out of county ride.
  • Legal Services - Legal advice and assistance may be available if over age 60; call Office for the Aging at 589-3191; suggested contribution $25 per consultation.
  • Congregate Nutrition Centers (NUTRIFAIR) - Hot noon meals at two sites throughout the county, with scheduled daily activities. Call 589-7817, option 5 for reservation. Suggested contribution $3.50 per meal for age 60+ and $9.50 per meal under age 60.
    1. Kendall - Kendall Town Hall, Route 237. Wednesday and Friday only
    2. Albion - Albion Academy, 16 East Academy St. Monday - Friday
  • Nutrition Counseling - A registered dietician is available for consultation and assistance with special diet problems, restrictions, and/or nutrition related inquiries. Suggested contribution $15 per session.

INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE:

  • Orleans NY Connects - Information and assistance for elderly, disabled and families. Call 589-3191   NY Connects Resource Directory
  • Monthly Newsletter- Home delivery bi-monthly or email monthly of “The Friendly Carrier” for helpful, informative, up-to-date articles and ideas for senior citizens; suggested contribution $5 per year. *Because of COVID-19 newsletters are being mailed monthly.
  • Long Term Care Information - Information and/or referral to all long term care services including home care, senior citizen housing, adult homes, and nursing homes.
  • Health Insurance Counseling - Assistance with comparing insurance options, Medicare and HMO questions supplemental insurance policy comparison, prescription benefits or coverage and long-term care insurance information. Suggested contribution is $10 per session. Call 589-3191 for an appointment.
  • Medicare Part D - Help with understanding and choosing a prescription plan. Call for assistance or schedule an appointment at the OFA at 589-3191.
  • EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) - Prescription coverage for New York State Residents over age 65 with no or limited insurance coverage must be income eligible. Single under $75,000 and couple under $100,000 annually.
  • Medicaid/Food Stamps - Help with completing these applications in the Office or outreach visits to homebound, frail elderly clients. Assistance in the Office by appointment only.
  • QI-1, QMB - Social Services application to reimburse for Medicare Part B premium that is deducted from Social Security checks. ($164.90 in 2023)
  • Telephone/Cable Discount Programs (LifeLine) - Discount on monthly phone bills are available to clients on another assistance program such as HEAP, Medicaid, Food Stamps or Public Assistance. Application available at Office for the Aging or call Verzion telephone at 1-800-555-5000.  AT&T 1-888-549-2802
  • New York State It-214 - Assistance with application for New York State tax rebate for renters and property tax payers. Annual income must be under $18,000.
  • Property Tax Exemptions - 10% to 50% off property taxes if over age 65 and income eligible; first time applicants need to apply through local tax assessor. Also STAR exemption for school taxes are through local assessor. Must be filed by March 1st of each year.
  • Section 8 Housing - Assistance with application for rent subsidy for income eligible clients. Call 585-283-4264.
  • HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) - One time grant per year toward heating bill; for income eligible clients.
  • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) -  Assistance in applying for SSI if over age 65 or over age 60 and blind or disabled. Must be income and resource eligible.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES/ HEALTH PROMOTION:

  • Health Promotion And Disease Prevention Program - A health related program offered at locations throughout the county. Watch the “Friendly Carrier” newsletter for dates, locations and topics.
  • Senior Citizens Clubs - Medina Senior Citizens, 585-798-4544; Lyndonville Busy Buddies, 585-739-2788; Albion Senior Citizens meets every Wednesday at noon at Albion Academy; Holley Community Center, 585-638-6395.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Volunteers - Have some free time? Looking to do something helpful? Office for the Aging is always in need of volunteers for the following: (call the office for an application, 585-589-3191)
  • Advisory Council - Members meet monthly and advise on activities, planning, budgeting, outreach for seniors and senior services in Orleans County.
  • HIICAP Counselors - Meet with clients and assist counseling of health insurance options.
  • Meals-on-Wheels - Drivers to deliver meals to the homebound. Call 589-5424, option 5
  • Newsletter Helpers - To assist in compiling the monthly newsletter, The Friendly Carrier on the last Tuesday of every month.
  • Office Volunteers - To assist in clerical duties; filing, copying, collating and typing.
  • Volunteer Drivers - Drivers to transport seniors in Orleans County to medical appointments, social events, personal errands, etc.
  • Caregiver Connections Program - Assist in our Community Respite Program on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month in Albion.

Melissa Blanar – Director
County Administration Building
14016 Route 31, Albion  NY 14411
Phone: (585) 589-3191
Fax: (585) 589-3193
Melissa.Blanar@orleanscountyny.gov

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